Flights, boat trips in Boracay canceled due to Typhoon Ursula

MANILA - Flights and boat trips to and from Aklan were canceled Wednesday by authorities due to bad weather brought by Typhoon Ursula.

According to Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, boat trips to and from Boracay were canceled, as well as RoRo trips to and from Caticlan.

Flights to and from Caticlan and Kalibo were also called off, due to heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Puyat said Smart and Globe networks were down in affected towns of Aklan.

The tourism chief said no one has been reported hurt from the onslaught of Ursula in Aklan.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines (PAL), in an advisory on Christmas day, said Kalibo Airport has been shut down temporarily.

"Please be advised that Kalibo Airport has been declared temporarily closed to give way to repairwork on the terminal building. Damage to a portion of Kalibo Airport's roof and wall caused by Typhoon Ursula led authorities to issue the said closure notice," the flag carrier said.

Throughout Christmas Day, heavy rains prevailed over Aklan, Masbate, northern Negros provinces, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Romblon, Calamian Islands, Cuyo Islands, and Mindoro Provinces.

Aside from Aklan, thousands were unable to go home to their families this Christmas after the storm shut down sea ports and forced flight cancellations in different parts of the country.

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